Working in Austria
Student Jobs
Student Employee Work Permit
Students in Austria qualify for a work permit that allows them to work up to 20 hours per week. Your employer will apply for a work permit (“Beschäftigungsbewilligung”) on your behalf.
Students may only work over the 20 hour per week limit after the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) has carried out a labor market check to determine if other skilled workers are already registered for the specific position.
It is important to note that your employment must not affect your studies and your studies must remain your primary purpose of staying in Austria.
Wages
There is no statutory minimum wage in Austria, rather minimum wage is determined by collective agreements based on the industry. In most cases this is about €1,700 gross per month for full time employment.
In Austria it is also standard to pay 14 salaries per year with an extra month paid out in June and December.
Self-Employed Students
Students in Austria are permitted to be self-employed during their studies without an additional work permit. There are no limits to the number of hours you may work as long as you continue to meet the requirements for your student residence permit and your studies remain your primary purpose for your stay in Austria.
The OEAD has put together a guide on understanding the requirements for student employment in Austria.
Graduates
Orientation Year
Students who have completed their studies holding a "Residence Permit – Student" may apply for a renewal of the permit for another 12 months to look for a job matching your qualifications or set up a business.
During your orientation year you can still work or be self employed following the same rules for student employment.
The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) can support students and graduates with free guidance.
The Red-White-Red – Card for Graduates
If you find employment before or during your orientation year you may apply for the Red-White-Red card for Graduates, a residence permit specifically for former international students who have graduated from an Austrian university and found employment related to their studies in Austria.
As a graduate from an Austrian university this permit removes the requirement for a labour market check in which the AMS must not be able to find any other equally qualified people who are registered as unemployed to fill the position. There also is no minimum salary and no point system. These are typically some of the toughest barriers for finding employment as a foreigner in Austria and many countries.
Self Employment & Startup Founders
If you are self-employed or a startup founder you may also apply for the Red-White-Red card, however the barriers to entry are much higher.
For Self-Employed Key Workers
Applicants must establish a company that will bring value to Austria’s economy, including proof of an investment transfer of at least €100,000.
For Start-Up Founders
Applicants must be building a company which will create innovative enrichment for Austria’s economy. There is a point system in which you must score 50/85 and show proof of of an investment transfer of at least € 30,000.
Key Industries in Austria
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Financial Services
Vienna is a hub for financial services in Central Europe, with the city hosting the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and as the home of the Austrian Bank, Raiffeisen Bank.
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Tourism
Tourism plays an essential economic role in Austria. In 2023 alone, about 30.9 million foreign tourists visited the country.
Tourism is one of the most common industries for international students to work in due to the high availability of English-language jobs.
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Textiles & Clothing
The Vorarlberg region is renowned for its expertise in the textile sector. In particular, the region specializes in technical textiles, high-performance materials, and sustainable production processes.
Local athletic clothing brands, such as Löffler, offer traineeships to students
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Mechanical & Steel Engineering
This sector is distinguished by its precision-driven manufacturing of machinery and structural components.
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Tech & Electronics
High-tech production of electronic components and systems, such as Infineon’s semiconductor factory in Villach (a top employer of international students in the region), reflects the highly competitive microelectronics sector.
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